Packaging system for fluidic ejection cartridge with controlled protective tape removal

Abstract

A film sealed ejection cartridge assembly is disclosed. The cartridge assembly includes a cartridge for fluidic ejection, as well as a cartridge retainer having a plurality of retainer walls and a retainer opening. The cartridge retainer receives and secures the cartridge. The cartridge assembly further includes a length of a nozzle plate seal film. A first portion of the nozzle plate seal film is removably secured to the fluidic ejection chip and a second portion of the nozzle plate seal film is secured to the cartridge retainer. Removal of the cartridge from the cartridge retainer causes the nozzle plate seal film to separate from the fluidic ejection chip.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A fluidic ejection cartridge assembly comprising:
 a cartridge for fluidic ejection having
 a cartridge body with a plurality of cartridge walls, a cartridge lid attached to a first portion of the cartridge body, and a hollow cavity within the cartridge body defining a fluid reservoir, and 
 a fluidic ejection chip having a nozzle plate attached to a second portion of the cartridge body and in fluid flow communication with the fluid reservoir; 
 
 a cartridge retainer, having a plurality of retainer walls and a retainer opening, which receives and secures the cartridge; and 
 a length of a nozzle plate seal film, wherein a first portion of the nozzle plate seal film is removably secured to nozzle plate of the fluidic ejection chip and a second portion of the nozzle plate seal film is secured to the cartridge retainer, 
 wherein removal of the cartridge from the cartridge retainer causes the nozzle plate seal film to separate from the nozzle plate of the fluidic ejection chip. 
 
     
     
       2. The fluidic ejection cartridge assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising
 a cartridge storage container having a storage space therewithin, wherein cartridge retainer is rotatably attached to a shaft within the storage space of the storage container so as to rotate about a pivot axis defined by the shaft; and 
 a moisture barrier film disposed over at least the cartridge. 
 
     
     
       3. The fluidic ejection cartridge assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the nozzle plate seal film is secured to a retainer wall of the cartridge retainer. 
     
     
       4. The fluidic ejection cartridge assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle plate seal film comprises a low tack tape having an adhesion force of less than 1.0 lbf per inch when secured to the fluidic ejection chip. 
     
     
       5. The fluidic ejection cartridge assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a length of high tack tape secured to the second portion of the nozzle plate seal film and to the cartridge retainer so that the nozzle plate seal film is secured to the cartridge retainer, wherein the high tack tape has an adhesion force of greater than 1.0 lbf per inch when secured to the cartridge retainer. 
     
     
       6. The fluidic ejection cartridge assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge further comprises a flexible interconnect circuit which is attached to the cartridge body and electrically connected to the fluidic ejection chip. 
     
     
       7. A method for removing a protective film from a fluidic ejection chip on a cartridge for fluidic ejection, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a fluidic ejection cartridge assembly comprising
 a cartridge for fluidic ejection having a cartridge body with a plurality of cartridge walls, a cartridge lid attached to a first portion of the cartridge body, a hollow cavity within the cartridge body defining a fluid reservoir, and a fluidic ejection chip having a nozzle plate attached to a second portion of the cartridge body and in fluid flow communication with the fluid reservoir, and 
 a cartridge retainer, having a plurality of retainer walls and a retainer opening, which receives and secures the cartridge, and 
 
 applying a length of a nozzle plate seal film over at least a portion of the nozzle plate of the fluidic ejection chip, wherein a first portion of the nozzle plate seal film is removably secured to the nozzle plate of the fluidic ejection chip and a second portion of the nozzle plate seal film is secured to the cartridge retainer; and 
 wherein removal of the cartridge from the cartridge retainer causes the nozzle plate seal film to separate from the fluidic ejection chip. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein removal of the cartridge from the cartridge retainer causes the nozzle plate seal film to separate from the nozzle plate of the fluidic ejection chip at an angle of approximately 180 degrees from the fluidic ejection chip. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the second portion of the nozzle plate seal film is secured to the cartridge retainer. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the nozzle plate seal film comprises a low tack tape having an adhesion force of less than 1.0 lbf per inch when secured to the fluidic ejection chip. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 7 , further comprising a length of high tack tape secured to the second portion of the nozzle plate seal film and to the cartridge retainer so that the nozzle plate seal film is secured to the cartridge retainer, wherein the high tack tape has an adhesion force of greater than 1.0 lbf per inch when secured to the cartridge retainer. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the cartridge further comprises a flexible interconnect circuit which is attached to the cartridge body and electrically connected to the fluidic ejection chip.